Liaison and Cultural Mediator Officer

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a qualified and motivated qualified and motivated Liaison and Cultural Mediator Officer.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations based on humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is implementing a multi-sector response to support Ukraine refugees, IDPs, and host populations both within Ukraine and the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Moldova, and wider Europe.

Due to the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022, DRC opened offices in Poland, Moldova, and Romania to provide support to the displaced population in partnership with civil society organizations and national NGOs, duty bearers, and other actors. DRC continues to implement in these three countries through partnerships, technical assistance and capacity exchange, and direct implementation in some cases.

About the Job

As Liaison and Cultural Mediator Officer, you will be responsible for ensuring that the asylum seekers and refugees access the full range of services available for them both on-site and outside their accommodation site depending on needs and priorities decided by the team leader and the Protection Manager. You will ensure safe and dignified access to information as well as access to services such as medical, legal, integration, and others. In addition, you will provide translation and interpretation as well as culturally appropriate, accurate, and smooth communication between the persons of concern, DRC Protection teams, and Moldovian service providers. In cooperation with the legal aid officers, you will also facilitate the preparation of the asylum interview and assist in legal case management when necessary.

Interpretation and Cultural Mediation

• Provide clear, understandable, and culturally appropriate translation and interpretation services for persons of concern and the service providers, as required.
• Respond to ad hoc and urgent requests for interpretation upon coordination with the line manager.
• Provide interpretation applying the principles of accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality at all times.
• Assist in organizing and implementing group info sessions and other relevant activities through outreach and info sharing.
• Support in coordination with DRC staff in the issuance of administrative papers/necessary documentation through information provision, linking with the authorities, support with relevant applications, and accompaniment when needed.
• Provide backup support to DRC teams when needed.
• Report to the line manager barriers that affect meaningful and safe access to services

Liaison and Representation

• Serve as the interface between local authorities and DRC Moldova in all matters related to the planning, programming, and humanitarian response in coordination with the Response Manager.
• Build and maintain an updated list of relevant contacts from local authorities, local and international NGOs, International Organizations, and donors.
• Respond to ad hoc requests from local authorities and assist in obtaining any required official documentation.
• Manage administrative and immigration procedures for the employees and the DRC Moldova branch.
• Monitor and collect information related to humanitarian response & needs in areas of intervention, national and regional levels (relevant reports published, new actors, gaps identified, etc).

Program Support

• Support the identification of gaps and barriers prohibiting persons of concern from accessing the full range of services that are available to them.
• Facilitate the management and amendment of Sub-grant Agreements with partners and other actors and receive the partners’ needed documentation.

Internal Coordination & Reporting

• Participate actively in internal meetings.
• In link with the Regional Communication Advisor facilitates the production of external communication and advocacy data and documents.
• Contribute to the production of donor reports or proposals upon request.

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 1 year of relevant, demonstrable work experience in a refugee context with local or international NGO. Working experience in cultural mediation or interpretation will be considered a strong advantage. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• A University degree in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, Law, Migration, and Refugee Studies) is highly desirable. Relevant training or certification related to translation or interpretation is highly desirable.
• Experience in community-based or community mobilization work in a humanitarian context will be considered a strong advantage.
• Computer skills are desired.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders.
• Ability to live and work in a demanding working environment.
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills.
• Highly professional ethics.
• Advanced verbal and written skills in Romanian, Ukrainian, and English.
• Working knowledge of Russian is highly desirable.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.

We Offer

Contract length: September 2022 – February 2023, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

Band: Non-Management, H

Duty base: Chisinau (within travel in the region)

Start date: ASAP

We offer a competitive salary and benefits in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.